Half life

School Again

I was still sitting, when Dad walked in to the sitting room looking all dapper in his well tailored grey sweatpants and well ironed white shirt with a pair of black shoes to match.

His hair impeccable, and shinning brightly like the sun. He was indeed a handsome man and I was sure he will definitely get his female colleagues at work drooling.

"Wow you look great." I said complimenting Dad as he got closer.

"Thank you my princess" Dad replied, with his cheeks burning red in embrassment as he tried to conceal his smiles.

"Okay sweetheart I'll be on my way now" Dad said after regaining his composure and began walking towards the door.

"I'll be back sooner than you'd least expect" He added in a light tone.

"Okay sir. I'll be waiting then.

Do have a nice day Dad" I replied coldly.

"Thank you dear" He muttered and with that walked out of the house

Now left all alone to myself in this big and almost empty house, I sat upright and began to think of what to do to kill time.

With many random and silly thoughts running through my mind, I resorted to first having breakfast before deciding on what to do next with my time.

So I lazily got up and after heaving a sigh, began to walk towards the dinning area.

On reaching the dinning table I quickly pulled out a chair directly facing the sitting room so as to watch Tv as well while eating.

The tea was already cold I guess it was due to the fact that I kept it way too long before taking it.

Picking up a slice of bread I stuffed it into my mouth and munched away like a lunatic.

I wasn't enjoying the Tv program so I took my cup of tea alongside with me as I headed back for the sitting room inorder to change the channel to something more better.

Scanning through the channel list meticulously, I stumbled upon my favorite cartoon show "De Barbers" and decided to settle for it.

***Minutes Later***

I was already getting bored with the program so I turned off the TV and began to think of something else to do.

Then an idea crept into my mind and I let out a hearty giggle.

I would first tidy up the kitchen then my bedroom and then this sitting room as well.

I know Dad would be so happy when he comes back and discovers I did all of these, I reasoned as I let out a smile.

So I took my tea cup and gulped down the remaining content and started for the kitchen.

When I got to the kitchen, I peered into the kitchen sink and discovered some piles of dirty dishes in it.

The kitchen counter was all covered with dust, dried vegetables, an empty tin of tomato and the kitchen burner had a dirty pot on top of it.

So I quickly got a wiper and carefully wiped out the dust on the counter after getting rid of the dirts on it.

Next I moved to kitchen sink and began to wash the dishes and when I was through, I got a bucket and a mop stick and cleaned up every nook and cranny in the kitchen.

Satisfied with my work, I exhaled deeply in exhaustion then nodded my head in admiration.

No doubt I was getting worked up already but I wasn't through yet so I moved on to the sitting room

cleaned the sofas, Tv and the home theaters and loveseats, swept the floor before I started mopping it.

Sinking into a near by sofa to take a quick break, I slept off

***********************

The car horn emanating from outside the gate startled me as I jerked off from sleep.

"Damn I can't believe I fell asleep even without a notice.

I guess I was so tired" I soliloquized as I got up from the sofa.

"That car horn sounded like Dad's. I guess he is back already'' I muttered underneath my breath as I picked up the bucket I was using to mop the floor and made for the staircase.

I was still climbing up the stairs when the door cracked open and Dad walked in with a package in his right hand and looking weak and exhausted.

"Good afternoon Dad" I said immediately he walked in to the sitting room

"Afternoon dear. How you doing?" He asked feebly

"Great"

"Welcome back. How was your day at work?'' I asked with concern written over my face.

"Hectic as usual dear" he replied

"Oh" I exclaimed not sure of what to say

"I can see you're working."

Dad said taking a quick scan at the whole sitting room.

"Yeah I was bored so decided to do some clean ups instead. Since no one is available to do it." I explained nervously.

"Wow. That was thoughtful of you" Dad complimented

"Thank you" I said

"By the way I bought you something for lunch. Here" Dad said handing me the package in his right hand.

"Aww thanks alot Dad" I muttered

"You don't have to mention dear." Dad said.

"Well I'll be in my room for now. Let me go get some rest" Dad said rubbing his eyes

"Okay Dad" I said

And with that Dad climbed the stairs and headed for his room while I fumbled with the package.

Hardly had he gone out of sight when I unwrapped it and I saw 2 pack of fried rice and a moderate chicken lap.

I quickly cascaded down the stairs and headed for the dinning table.

I wasn't all that famished but the aroma from the rice already got me salivating so I sat down and began to devour the rice.

It tasted real good and I didn't realize quite fast I've finished it. Left with only my chicken lap, I pecked at it for some seconds then stopped.

I wasn't a fan of meat neither am I a vegetarian.

But I'd prefer vegetables a thousand times to meat.

**Later That Day**

"So tell me when do you want to go back to school?" Dad asked that evening as we sat in the sitting room watching a boring show on TV shortly after having oats for dinner.

"Anytime, anyday" I replied focusing on the TV

"What about tomorrow?" Dad asked further

"Sure."

"Then you'll have resume tomorrow. I hope you have fully recuperated anyway?"

Dad asked staring at me

"Probably yeah" I replied coldly.

"It's just time to move on with life. What is gone is gone. So we all must be ready to forge ahead if we really want be the best version of ourselves" Dad said lightly but more of a whisper and I nodded.

"I'll be going to bed then. So I can rest well before school tomorrow" I said standing up.

"Yeah that's true. Good night dear"

"Good night dad" I replied heading for my room.

*******************

**Next morning**

"Amanda!" Dad called out in the doorway

"Yes Dad" I blurted out

"Where are you?"

"Right here Dad!" I yelled

"Where exactly?" Dad asked as he cascaded down the stairs.

"Right here downstairs!"

"Ok then" He replied

"Good morning Dad!"

I greeted smiling as Dad got closer donned in blue three piece suit and a matching black leather shoe all ready for the day's work.

"Morning dearest. How are you? Dad asked as he made to sit down at the dinning table

"Fine fine."

I replied giggling

"And your night?"

"Awesome sir."

"What about yours?'' I asked

"Cool. I guess you're almost ready for school?" Dad asked, pausing to sip the steamy coffee in front of him.

"Yeah."

"That's great." He remarked

"Just hurry up so I can drop you off. We are running late already." Dad added adjusting his neck tie as he made to stand up.

"Ok sir" I replied.

Taking one last bite at my slice of bread. I hurriedly got up and straightened my uniform.

"I'm through. We can go now" I said drawing his attention since he appeared to be lost in thought.

"Oh so quick" Dad muttered scratching his head.

''Yeah" I replied standing at akimbo

''Ok then let's get going" Dad said standing up.

With me leading the way, we walked out of the house to the parking lot.

Dad fondled with his left pocket for some seconds then brought out the car key and opened the car.

Entering inside and igniting the key, the engine roared loudly bringing the car to life as Dad beckoned on me to get in.

I got into the passenger seat and fastened on my seatbelt

after dropping my backpack by the right side.

And with that, Dad reversed and sped off after hitting the road.

The drive to school was quite awkward with me lost in my own silly thoughts and Dad stealing glances at me through the rear mirror.

Of course there were alot of things to talk about but then I wasn't sure Dad would want to listen to me anyways.

So I sighed and focused my gaze on the road, counting every individual car we drove past till we got to my school.

When we got to my school, Dad drove in and parked in the parking space close to the school gate and when I stepped out of the car he drove off after promising to come pick me up after school dismissal.

On getting to my class I quickly walked to my locker not minding the awkward stares I was getting from the rest of my classmates.

Of course I knew what the stares were all about but pretended not to notice.

Who won't get stared out when he or she instantly disappears into thin air for days and then suddenly show up again?

They must have all noticed my absence from school including Mrs.Smith our Class tutor but if they really cared they would have called Dad to ask anyway instead of giving me this weird stares this morning.

I was still lost in my thoughts when I noticed a warm hand touched me from behind and I slowly turned to see who it was and the person turned out to be Tamara my seatmate.

"Hey" I said softly

"Hi Amanda" she replied

"Good morning" I greeted

"Common baby girl where have you been for crying out loud?" She asked ignoring my greetings

"No where really" I replied

"You are kidding right?. Like you literally disappeared into thin air and here you are saying nowhere" Tamara said with a furrowed brow.

"Yeah. So tell me how have school been"

"School have just been long and boring without you" she replied coldly.

"Aww… I missed you alot" I said making a puppy face

" I missed you more seatmate" she replied

We were still discussing when Mrs. Smith walked stealthily into the class cutting short our chit chat

"Good morning Students" she greeted, standing in front of the spacious classroom

"Good morning ma'am" we all chorused

"How are you all?"

"Fine ma" We cooed

"That's great" she said

"Today we'll be talking to Reproduction in plants" She said as she moved to the whiteboard to write down the topic

"But before that, Tamara why haven't you been in school for the past few days?" She asked quite quickly.

"I've been ill ma" I replied calmly as possible

"Oops sorry about that. I hope you are feeling better now?" She asked with concern written all over her face.

"Yes ma" I replied and the class continued afterwards.

******************